Standing Up to Union Busting: Unite Defends Workers at Iconic Manchester Hotel

March 24, 2026April 3, 2026 admin Unions

In a powerful display of solidarity, Unite — the leading union for hospitality workers — has called out management at Manchester’s landmark Kimpton Clocktower Hotel for what it describes as blatant union busting tactics. The intervention comes after staff at the hotel and its adjoining restaurant, The Refuge, took the brave decision to organise for better working conditions.

Workers initially came together after enduring a catalogue of unacceptable practices: chronic understaffing leading to fatigue and burnout, problems with sick pay, and shifts scheduled with less than the legal minimum of 11 hours’ rest between them. In response, staff made the decision to join Unite and seek formal union recognition — a move that should be met with respect, not retaliation.

How to Move to Part Time in the UK: A Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Switch

March 22, 2026March 22, 2026 admin Work Environment

In the current UK economic climate, the traditional 9-to-5 is no longer a one-size-fits-all solution. Whether you are a new parent navigating childcare costs, a carer, a retiree looking to ease out of work, or simply someone seeking a better work-life balance, reducing your hours can feel like the holy grail.

However, knowing how to move to part time can be daunting. Unlike applying for a new job, switching from full-time to part-time in your current role involves legal rights, financial recalibration, and difficult conversations.

In this guide, we break down exactly how to move to part-time hours in the UK, covering your legal right to request flexible working, how to approach your employer, and how to ensure your finances survive the transition.

They Fired Him on Paternity Leave: The Real Story Behind Rockstar’s Mass Sackings

March 22, 2026April 3, 2026 admin Unfair Dismissal

When Mark Neill’s wife gave birth to their second son, he should have been focused on the joy of welcoming a new child into the family. Instead, nine days later, he received a three-minute phone call that ended his 12-year career at Rockstar Games — the gaming giant behind the blockbuster Grand Theft Auto franchise.

Neill was one of 34 workers summarily dismissed by Rockstar on October 30 and 31 last year — just days before the company announced that the highly anticipated GTA 6 would be delayed. The official reason? Alleged leaking of confidential information. But the dismissed workers and their union, the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), are telling a very different story: one of illegal union-busting, procedural cruelty, and a blatant disregard for workers’ rights.

Does Holiday Pay Accrue While Off Sick? A UK Guide to Your Rights

March 21, 2026March 21, 2026 admin Pay

If you are off work due to illness, worrying about your holiday entitlement is probably the last thing on your mind. However, it is a common source of confusion for both employees and employers in the UK.

The short answer is yes. Under UK law, holiday pay continues to accrue while you are off sick.

This article explains exactly how it works, covering statutory rights, long-term sickness, and what to do if your employer gets it wrong.

“Not a Deliberate Act” — But Workers Still Left Owed Thousands: Government Names and Shames Employers Over Minimum Wage Theft

March 21, 2026March 23, 2026 admin Pay

In a long-overdue display of accountability, the government has released a list of employers caught stealing from their own staff — underpaying workers by thousands, in some cases for years. While several companies have since offered apologies and blamed “administrative oversights,” workers’ rights advocates say the pattern reveals a systemic disregard for the livelihoods of working people.

Among the worst offenders in north-west England was discount supermarket chain B&M Bargains Ltd, which owed a single employee in Liverpool £3,304 over just three months. In Greater Manchester, car trader Roger Irving failed to pay a worker a staggering £34,861 between December 2017 and June 2023. Meanwhile, Accrington Surgical Instrument Suppliers Ltd in Hyndburn short-changed an employee £3,862 over five months in 2025.